Dwight Howard, Brook Lopez and The Top 10 Centers In The NBA Today

The 2010-11 NBA season has finally begun, with spectacular play from the big men in the middle on a nightly basis.

With the pace of play seeming to be much faster than in the past, centers have been recording a ton of blocks.  The outstanding play amongst centers this season have forced many teams to take more rushed and unwanted shots in the attempt to avoid rejection.

The following players are the Top 10 centers in the NBA right now.

10. Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee Bucks

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MILWAUKEE - NOVEMBER 16: Andrew Bogut #6 of the Milwuakee Bucks moves against Kris Humphries #43 of the Dallas Mavericks at the Bradley Center on November 16, 2009 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Mavericks defeated the Bucks 115-113 in overtime. (Photo by J

The seven-foot Australian out of the University of Utah is in his sixth year in the National Basketball Association.  

Bogut is beginning to make his mark as one of the better centers in the league.  So far this season he has been averaging a double-double.  

In Seven games Bogut's averages have been 14.1 PPG, 10.3 RPG, and 1.86 BPG.

9. Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks

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ATLANTA - MARCH 31: Al Horford #15 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks against Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Philips Arena on March 31, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using

Only eight games into the 2010-11 season and Al Horford has already posted five double-double's.

With Marvin Williams sidelined due to injury, Horford has stepped up and adjusted to the power forward position, performing at the same high-level of play with comfortability.

Horford has gotten of to a good start this season averaging 17.1 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 3.3 APG, .63 BPG and .63 SPG.

8. Yao Ming, Houston Rockets

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 26: Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rockets reacts to a play during their opening night game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on October 26, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges

Due to Yao's repeated injury problems, he has been playing a very limited amount of time.  But when he plays he is extremely effective.  

In 20.3 minutes of play per game, Yao Ming has averaged 12.8 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.75 BPG, and 1.0 APG.

7. Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 28: Roy Hibbert #55 of the Indiana Pacers against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on October 28, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

In his third season as a pro, Roy Hibbert is clearly maturing and developing into one of the great Centers in the NBA.  

Although it will take some more time for Hibbert to reach his prime, he has improved steadily from year to year since he first entered the league.

In six games this season, Hibbert has put up 15.8 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 3.8 APG, and 3.30 BPG.  

6. Al Jefferson, Utah Jazz

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PHOENIX - OCTOBER 12: Al Jefferson #25 of the Utah Jazz puts up a shot during the preseason NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on October 12, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by down

Al Jefferson has helped to lead the Utah Jazz to a 4-3 record after starting the season off with two losses.

The one negative about Jefferson is that he's been very inconsistent this season scoring only six points against Denver and only two points in the big win over Miami.  

If Jefferson wants the Utah Jazz to be a serious contender, than he must elevate his game to the elite level that he could potentially play at.

Throughout seven games this season Jefferson has averaged 16.0 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 1.43 BPG, and 1.1 BPG.

5. Brook Lopez, New Jersey Nets

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BOSTON - FEBRUARY 27: Brook Lopez #11 of the New Jersey Nets takes a shot as Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics defends at the TD Garden on February 27, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Nets defeated the Celtics 104-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressl

Brook Lopez has been a dominant force for the New Jersey Nets ever since they drafted him three years ago.  

Last season Lopez started all 82 games averaging 18.8 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 2.3 APG and 1.70 BPG.  This year he looks to build off of last year, averaging similar numbers so far with 18.4 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.90 BPG, and 1.3 APG.  

With the Nets losing their last five games, expect Lopez to become even more involved on the offensive end.

4. Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 04: Joakim Noah #13 of the Chicago Bulls goes up for a dunk over Danilo Gallinari #8 of the New York Knicks at the United Center on November 4, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Knicks defeated the Bulls 120-112. NOTE TO USER: User express

Joakim Noah has improved in points, assists, rebounds and blocks every year he's been in the NBA.  He's a passionate workhorse who always wants to get better.

In his best season yet, Noah recorded 10.7 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 2.1 APG, and 1.60 BPG for the 2009-10' NBA season.  

With the numbers Noah have put up so far this season, he's on track to improve in every category once again averaging 15.7 PPG, 15.0 RPG, 2.20 BPG, and 2.2 APG.

3. Amare Stoudemire, New York Knicks

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 30: Amar'e Stoudemire #1 of the New York Knicks walks down the court against the Portland Trail Blazers at Madison Square Garden on October 30, 2010 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downlo

For the last four years Amare Stoudemire has been one of the most consistent players in the NBA.  In each of his last four seasons he has averaged over 20 PPG, 8 RPG, 3 APG, and 1 BPG.

In seven games this season Stoudemire has averaged 19.4 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 2.1 APG, and 1.90 BPG.  His numbers are a bit below the norm but he's most likely still getting use to his new team.  

Once Stoudemire completely settles in, his performance will increase dramatically.

2. Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers

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LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 13: Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers is introduced before a preseason game against the Sacramento Kings at the Thomas & Mack Center October 13, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lakers won 98-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ackno

Averaging a double-double through eight games this season, Pau Gasol is doing everything right to help aid Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers to another NBA title.

Undefeated so far this season, Pau Gasol has been a major part of Los Angeles' success.  

Gasol has always been a well-rounded player and is supporting that label with excellent stat's this year, averaging 23.4 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 4.8 APG, and 1.50 BPG.

1. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

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ORLANDO, FL - MAY 26: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic dunks against Paul Pierce #34 and Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on May 26, 2010 in Orlando, Fl

There should be no doubt that Dwight Howard is the most dominant center in the NBA and one of the most talented players this league has ever seen.

Howard is a freak of an athlete who has been averaging an undoubtedly impressive 23.2 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 2.7 BPG, 1.20 SPG, and 1.5 APG.  As of right now, DWIGHT HOWARD IS THE ORLANDO MAGIC.  Without Howard, the Magic would be desperately fighting at the end of the season to squeeze into the playoffs.  

But, with the 6'11'' 265 beast on their squad, the Orlando Magic are one of the best and most feared teams in the National Basketball Association.